NCJ Number
183618
Date Published
1996
Length
569 pages
Annotation
This text attempts to present a clear and balanced overview of the criminal justice system, covering the historical foundation of the criminal justice system through its contemporary form.
Abstract
The text is organized in five parts. The first part provides a basic foundation for the criminal justice system, with emphasis on individual rights versus law and order, due process, legal foundations of crime, the scope and classification of crime, the evolution of the criminal justice system, volume and rates of criminal activity, the role of discretion in criminal processes, and emerging crime trends. In discussing law enforcement issues and concepts, the second part deals with public-private contemporary law enforcement systems, the organization and operation of law enforcement systems, critical issues for law enforcement personnel, and police operations. The third part covers the court system in terms of the structure and role of courts, prosecutors, defense counsel, judges, caseloads, plea bargaining, pretrial and trial processes, and sentencing. The fourth part examines the structure and purpose of corrections, with consideration paid to the history of corrections, correctional institutions, rights of prisoners, community corrections, probation, parole, and electronic monitoring. The fifth part reviews special topics, such as juvenile justice, juvenile courts, juvenile gangs, criminal victimology and rights of victims, drug abuse, and the future of criminal justice. Endnotes, tables, figures, and photographs